CHAPTER V. 



CALIFORNIA. 

 184 1. 



After Lieutenant-Commandant Ringgold joined the Vincennes, 

 she bore away for San Francisco, for the purpose of carrying into 

 effect my instructions (see Appendix VI). She arrived at that port 

 on the 14th of August, and anchored off Yerba Buena. Several 

 vessels, amongst them two Americans, were found here, and intelli- 

 gence was received of the death of General Harrison, President of 

 the United States. 



As soon as the ship anchored, an officer was despatched on shore 

 to call upon the authorities ; but none of any description were to be 

 found. The only magistrate, an alcalde, was absent. The frequency 

 of revolutions in this country had caused a great change since the 

 visit of Captain Beechey. 



On the 17th, after consultation with the captain of the port, a Mr. 

 Richardson, the ship was moved to the north shore, at Sausalito, or 

 Whaler's Harbour. Water, which it was impossible to obtain at 

 Yerba Buena, on account of the drought that had prevailed for 

 several months, is here to be had from a small spring. After the 

 ship was moored, the boats were hoisted out, and fitted for surveying 

 duties up the river Sacramento. 



On approaching the coast in the neighbourhood of San Francisco, 

 the country has by no means an inviting aspect. To the north, it 

 rises in a lofty range, whose highest point is known as the Table 

 Hill, and forms an iron-bound coast from Punto de los Reyes to the 

 mouth of the harbour. 



To the south, there is an extended sandy beach, behind which rise 

 the sand-hills of San Bruno, to a moderate height. There are no 

 symptoms of cultivation, nor is the land on either side fit for it ; for 



VOL. V. 41 



